Inhaler for powdery, in particular, medical substances

ABSTRACT

Inhaler ( 1 ) for powdery, in particular medical substances ( 10 ), having a suction air channel ( 12 ) leading to the mouthpiece ( 3 ), and a storage chamber ( 11 ) for a substance ( 10 ). A linearly moving dosing chamber ( 26 ) apportions a specific amount of substance from the storage chamber ( 11 ) into the region of a transfer point to a suction air stream (S) of the air channel. A component of the suction air stream (S), that lies in the direction in which the dosing chamber ( 26 ) extends, empties the dosing chamber ( 26 ).

The invention relates to an inhaler for powdery, in particular medicalsubstances, with a suction air channel leading to a mouthpiece, also astorage chamber for the substance and a linearly moving dosing chamberfor apportioning a specific amount of substance from the storage chamberinto the region of a transfer point to the suction air stream.

An inhaler of this type is known from DE-A 40 27 391. The amount ofsubstance to be discharged is transferred in a downwardly taperingstorage chamber to the dosing chamber, which is capable of moving out.The delivery means is a linearly movable slide comprising said dosingchamber. Placed into the channel of the mouthpiece, a rearward space ofthe dosing chamber docks onto a volume of air stored in apiston/cylinder unit. When the inhalation takes place in the sense of asuction air stream, the volume of air is abruptly set free and released.The suction stroke, mechanically flow-assisted in this way, clears thedosing chamber in an emptying manner. The expulsion of compressed airtriggered by the reduced pressure requires considerable structuralcomplexity; for most patients, it also takes some time and effort to getused to the suddenly occurring surge of air.

An object of the invention is to form an inhaler of the generic type ina structurally simple way, such that there is no longer any need toprovide an external air stream but nevertheless a complete discharge ofa reproducible portion is obtained.

This object is achieved first and foremost in the case of an inhalerwith the features of claim 1, it being provided that a component of thesuction air stream lying in the direction in which the dosing chamberextends empties the dosing chamber.

As a result of such a configuration, a structurally simple, functionallyreliable inhaler is achieved. The inhalation produces a reduced pressurefor discharge that is adequate for the dosing chamber to be emptiedsatisfactorily. The region where the dose is administered lies close tothe flow component, in a manner which is extremely effective for thedischarge. The linearly moving dosing chamber operates with a drawingeffect and, on reaching the transfer point, is so detached from thestorage region of the powdery substance that it is no longer possiblefor any substance to fall back. The prior art attempts to prevent thispossible source of unequally apportioned amounts by the use of a screenwith respect to the rearward space, that is with respect to the incomingexternal air stream.

The subject matters of the further claims are explained below withreference to the subject matter of claim 1, but may also be ofimportance in their independent formulation. For instance, it is furtherproposed that the dosing chamber is configured as a transverse bore of aspindle which can be displaced in dependence on a closure cap. In thisway, the ready-to-discharge position is as it were automatically broughtabout, simply by the customary handling of closing and opening takingplace. The preferably continuous transverse bore can be cleared out fromtwo sides. A particularly effective measure is obtained by a conicaltransverse bore. The apportioned amount of substance is transferred evenmore quickly via the component of the suction air stream from thewidening end. To achieve conducting of the air of the component in thedirection in which the dosing chamber extends, it is of significancethat an air passage adjoining the suction air stream is associated withthe dosing chamber. This produces as it were a localized zone of reducedpressure. It is advantageous for an air passage to be respectivelyprovided upstream of each of the two openings of the dosing chamber. Inthe case of the conical transverse bore, it is suitable also to providethat associated with the larger clear diameter end of the dosing chamberis an air passage of a smaller diameter than it and associated with thesmaller clear diameter end is an air passage of a larger diameter thanit. As a result of greater reduced pressure, substance is thereforecleared predominantly from the widening side, that is specifically inthe direction in which there is no frictional hindrance as a result ofthe correspondingly widening walls of the dosing chamber. The inventionthen proposes that the air passages are formed on a cup-shaped rotarypart guiding the spindle and are in flow communication with air inletsin the lateral wall of a mouthpiece. The corresponding air inlets aredisposed on the lateral wall of the inhaler in such a way that theycannot be kept closed either by the user's lips or by the gripping handholding the stick-shaped body of the inhaler. The risk of them beingkept closed is minimized moreover by a number of air inlets that arespaced apart from one another being formed. For the purpose of gooddistribution of the powdery substance in the suction air stream, it isalso provided that the air passages are disposed axially offset inrelation to the air inlets lying closer to the mouthpiece. This producesan initially contra-acting flow path. Furthermore, it proves to beadvantageous for the rotary part to form with its cup base the top ofthe storage chamber, the center of which has a guiding opening for thespindle acting as a plunger slide. In this way, the cup base is given adual function: indirect or direct cover and guiding hole for thespindle. Another advantageous feature is for the spindle, which ispointed at the end in the plunging direction in the manner of ascrewdriver blade, to be rotationally connected to the rotary part bymeans of radial fins. On the one hand, the knife-like blade achieved inthis way not only brings about an effective rotationally looseningaction in the central region but at the same time also helps the spindleto plunge into the mass of powder, and on the other hand it provideswelcome support for the spindle with respect to the rotary part, andwhat is more makes it possible for the alignment of the air passageswith the dosing chamber to be retained. The necessary relative linearmovement of the spindle and the rotary part in relation to each other isachieved by simple means, in that the cup wall of the cup-shaped rotarypart has axial guiding slots in which the fins are guided. This solutionis further characterized by an extension limiting stop of the spindlethat is provided by the mouthpiece, defining the ready-to-empty positionof the dosing chamber, which with its base wall portion provides thetransfer point. The closure-cap dependent mounting of the spindle isfurther characterized by a docking point between the spindle and theclosure cap that lies on the mouthpiece side and disengages ifoverloaded. When the inhaler is closed again, renewed docking betweenthe spindle and the closure cap is conversely obtained. A configurationthat is even of independent significance is then embodied by the factthat the rotary part has a rotor with which a stator is associated, witha scooping effect acting so as to carry substance into the dosingchamber when the rotary part is reversed in its rotation. By this means,the replenishment and density of the amount of powder in the dosingchamber can be kept consistent. In addition to this there is a looseningeffect in the surrounding area, which rules out the chance of parts ofthe powder becoming clogged. Reversed rotation means unscrewing of theclosure cap and the accompanying charging action of the, or on the,dosing chamber. To be specific, the scoop assembly is formed byweb-carried rotor blades extending from an annular disk of the base ofthe rotary part. Said blades have a lancet- or sickle-shaped outline.Two rotor blades lying diametrically opposite each other are realized.As far as the actual structure is concerned, it is also provided thatthe rotor blades extend substantially on a quarter sector, with a flankdirected radially toward the center of the spindle and a blade flanklying approximately at right angles thereto in tangential alignment withthe spindle in such a way as to leave a gap. This rules out points ofexcessive compression. The medical substance adhering for example to acarrier is not rubbed off from it. It is then provided that the flankslie in a common diametral line. The further structural features are alsoconducive to the scooping action but do not adversely effect themedicament, in that the rotor engages under the stator in such a waythat the stator is formed as a projection protruding radially inwardfrom the inside wall of the storage chamber and extending freely into arotational path of the rotor. The stator has a trapezoidal outline andis rooted with its base in the inside wall of the storage chamber. Therotational path is axially limited by the underside of the annular diskof the rotary part and the inner side of the rotor blades facing it.Furthermore, a configuration that is advantageous in terms of theassociation between parts consists in that the stator lies in outlinebeneath the quarter sector, leaving an interspace between two rotorblades. This produces an adequately large mounting opening. It isadvantageous both in terms of sealing and in terms of guidance if theguiding opening within the rotary part is lined by a sealing bushenclosing the cylindrical portion of the spindle. It may comprise rubberor rubber-like material. Powdery substance deposited on the stem of thespindle is wiped off by the sealing bush. There is no falsification ofthe dose ready to be discharged. A likewise sealing-related measure ofthe dispenser mechanism is obtained by a sealing ring inserted withpreloading between the inside wall of the storage chamber and the rotarypart. Here, too, rubber or rubber-like material may be used. It is thenprovided that the sealing ring is snap-fitted in annular grooves of bothparts, the annular groove located on the rotary part taking the form ofa V-shaped notched groove and the annular groove of the storage chamber,lying at the same height as said notched groove, being of a semicircularform. The said notched groove is involved in the rotational guidance ofthe rotary part. Finally, it is proposed that the closure cap is formedas a screw cap and interacts with the mouthpiece via co-rotating means.The latter are similar to a claw coupling and disengage when there is aseparation of the threads.

The subject matter of the invention is explained in more detail below onthe basis of an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawing, inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows the inhaler according to the invention in a verticalsection, enlarged, in the basic position with the cap closed,

FIG. 2 shows the plan view of this,

FIG. 3 shows the inhaler in side view,

FIG. 4 shows the inhaler in section, as in FIG. 1, but with the closurecap removed and therefore embodying the ready-to-remove position,

FIG. 5 shows an enlargement taken from FIG. 1 with the spindle in anintermediate position, the dosing chamber extending at the height of thestator,

FIG. 6 shows the section along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 shows a detailed representation of the rotary part with the rotorand the stator in a perspective view from below, showing the knife-likeshape of the lower end of the spindle, and

FIG. 8 shows an exploded drawing of the parts forming the inhaler, to beprecise in vertical section with respect all the parts, in partialsection with regard to the spindle.

The inhaler 1 represented in the drawing is realized as a convenientlyportable pocket device in the form of a short stick. A stepped,cylindrical housing 2 determines its shape.

The cylindrical housing 2, which is like a small tube, passes at the topend of the inhaler 1 into an attached mouthpiece 3. This is flattenedappropriately for a mouth and can be protectively engaged over by meansof a cup-shaped closure cap 4.

The closure cap 4 is realized as a screw cap. An internal thread 5associated with it engages in a corresponding external thread 6 on thelateral wall of the housing 2. In the region where the mouthpiece 3 isattached, a clip 7 is integrally formed on the closure cap 4.

At the bottom end, the end edge of the cup-shaped closure cap 4 buttsagainst an annular shoulder 8 with a stop-limiting and sealing effect,achieved on account of the aforementioned step of the cylindricalhousing 2.

Using the axial screw stroke of the engagement of the threads 5/6, theclosure cap 4 acts at the same time as an actuating handle 9 fordelivering a powdery substance 10 in reproducible portions 10′, whichsubstance is accommodated in a storage chamber 11 of the housing 2 in anoptionally refillable manner. The dosing device, respectivelytransporting the portion 10′ to a transfer point Ü lying outside thestorage chamber 11, is designated as a whole by D.

With respect to the material that can be dosed, it is a medical, powderysubstance 10, for example of the nature that basic substances (lactose)capable of being transported by suction stream act as a vehicle forcarrying the micronized fine particles of medicament sticking to theirsurface.

Provided downstream of the dosing device D is a so-called dispersingregion, in which the user produces a suction air stream S whichcompletely carries away the exactly apportioned amount 10′ of thesubstance 10 at the transfer point Ü. The suction air channel leading tothe mouthpiece 3 has the reference numeral 12.

The lower termination of the storage chamber 11 is formed by acup-shaped pressure-exerting base 13. This is under spring loading inthe direction of the mouthpiece 3. The corresponding compression springhas the reference numeral 14. It is supported by the bottom end windingon a base cap 15 closing the housing 2 there. Said base cap is inlatching engagement with the portion of the housing 2 of largercross-section there. The corresponding latching collar 16 engages in amatching annular groove of the housing 2.

The top end winding of the biased compression spring 14 loads an innershoulder 17 of a hollow piston 18 of the piston-shaped device 13/18.

The stepped cup-shaped pressure-exerting base 13 is connected in alatching manner to the inner shoulder 17.

The cup edge of the pressure-exerting base 13 provides an annular lip19, which on account of its rubber-elastic material wipes off the wallof the storage chamber 21 without any substance being lost.

Then a central standing spigot 20 extends from the base cap 15. Saidstanding spigot is hollow and, together with the hollow piston 18, formsa spring chamber 21 for the compression spring 14.

At the mouthpiece end, the storage chamber 11 terminates with acup-shaped rotary part 22. This forms by its cup base the top 23 of thestorage chamber 11 engaging over the housing 2.

A guiding opening 24 is left at the center of the top 23. Thisindirectly or directly formed guiding opening 24 receives a spindle 25,as the key component of the dosing device D. As a result of beingappropriately configured, said spindle acts as a linearly moving dosingchamber 26 for the portion 10′ to be lifted out, representing a plungerslide. It moves in the longitudinal center axis x-x of the substantiallyrotationally symmetrically configured inhaler 1.

At its end remote from the mouthpiece 3, the spindle 25 forms a pointsimilar to a screwdriver blade. On account of the co-rotation of thespindle 25, this has a loosening effect on the central region withrespect to the mass of powdery substance 10. The blade 27, virtuallyresembling a pointed roof, has two mirror-symmetrical oblique flanksand, at the base, adjoins the cylindrical stem of the spindle 25. Theoblique flanks enclose an angle of about 60°. The cylindrical basecross-section of the spindle 25 is retained in the region of the blade27 (see FIG. 7) The stroke of the linearly moving dosing chamber 26makes allowance in both end positions of the spindle 25 for thecross-section of the guiding opening 24 to be kept closed with adoctor-blade or wiping-off effect, filling the dosing chamber, over thelength of said opening 24.

The end of the closure 4 toward the mouthpiece forms a docking point 28between the spindle 25 and the closure cap 4. The latching means on theclosure cap is in this case a ring of hooks capable of resilientdeflection. Inwardly directed lugs 29 of the resilient tongues of thering of hooks engage in a narrow waist-like annular groove 30 of thestem 25. In the outward direction, the annular groove 30 continues intoa latching head 31. This can be overcome in both directions by the lugs29. The accumulation of material forming the latching head isapproximately lenticular.

The lugs 29, or their resilient tongues, are realized on a small tube 32which protrudes into the mouthpiece opening 3′ and extends from theinner side of the top of the closure 4. It is rooted therein.

The stem 25 is rotationally connected to the rotary part 22 by means ofradial fins 33 formed in the manner of spokes. The fins 33 engage withtheir free end portions, crossing the suction air channel 12, in axialguiding slots 34—three are already sufficient—of the rotary part 22. Theguiding slots 34, distributed at equal angles, are located on the insideof the cup wall 35 of the cup-shaped rotary part 22. The axial guidingslots 34 are, moreover, of such a length that the powder-drawingplunging stroke of the stem 25 out f a filling plane in the storagechamber 11 to the described transfer point Ü above the top 23 isensured.

The defined ready-to-empty position of the dosing chamber 26 is obtainedby an extension limiting stop of the spindle 25 that is provided by themouthpiece 3. That is the extreme end of a turned-back wall of themouthpiece 3, which in this way keeps the outlet of the guiding slots 34closed.

The mouthpiece 3 acts via a lateral wall 37 in an anchoring manner onthe neck of the housing 2. There, a latching point 38 is formed betweenthe two parts 2, 3. It may be an irreversible latching point 38.Moreover, as can be gathered, the top 23 of the rotary part 22 isengaged over in a supported manner by an annular shoulder 39.

The dosing chamber 26 is realized as a transverse bore runningsubstantially perpendicularly in relation to the longitudinal centeraxis x-x. Transferred into the ready-to-empty position, the dosingchamber 26 is in the effective region of the central suction air streamS. An air passage 40 adjoining the suction air channel 12 is associatedwith the dosing chamber 26. Said air passage is formed in the cup wall35 of the rotary part 22. It comprises radial bores. They extend in thevicinity of the base of the cup-shaped rotary part 22, that is at theheight of, or just above, the upper side of the top 23.

It can be gathered that such an air passage 40 is provided upstream andat a radial spacing from both open ends of the dosing chamber 26. Oneprecaution in this connection is that associated with the larger cleardiameter end of the dosing chamber 26 formed by a conical transversebore is an air passage 40 of a smaller diameter than it and associatedwith the smaller clear diameter end of the dosing chamber 26 is an airpassage 40 of a larger diameter than it. This produces a greater reducedpressure with a predominant discharging effect with respect to theadministered portion 10′ downstream of the air passage 40 of smallerdiameter. Nevertheless, the discharge, i.e. emptying of the dosingchamber 26, takes place from both ends.

The passages 40 formed on the cup-shaped rotary part 22, guiding thestem 25 in a sealed manner, are also in flow communication via arearward annular space 41 with air inlets 42 which are at a radialdistance. These air inlets 42 are also configured as bores and providethe connection to the atmosphere. Said annular space 41 is locatedbetween the outer side of the cup wall 35 of the cup-shaped rotary part22 and the inner side of the lateral wall 37 of the mouthpiece 3.

It can be gathered that the air passages 40 are disposed axially offsetin relation to the air inlets 42. The air inlets 42 lie closer to themouthpiece 3. The described spatial distancing leads to an initiallycontra-acting inflow of sucked-in air following on from the main suctionair stream S. This and the fact that a component of the suction airstream S lying in the direction in which the dosing chamber 26 extendsis built up has the effect that the dosing chamber 26 is completelyemptied. The user inhales a precise dose each time. The transfer point Üis provided here by the base portion of the dosing chamber 26.

Conducive to the corresponding emptying is the special way developedhere of keeping the powder substance 10 ready in the drawing region:this is so because conditions are created here to ensure the aimed-forisostructural or homogeneous “packing” of the dosing chamber 26, fedfrom a surrounding area where the substance has been loosened. Therotary part 22 is used in particular for this purpose, by way of adevelopment. It has a rotor R acting in the upper region of the storagechamber 11. A stator St is associated with said rotor. Using therotation of the rotary part 22, not only is a loosening effect obtainedbut at the same time also a scooping effect acting so as to carry powderinto the dosing chamber 26 when the rotary part 22 is reversed in itsrotation, i.e. when the closure cap 4 is unscrewed, using the same as anactuating handle 9. The corresponding entrainment is also obtained withrespect to the spindle 25, which is rotationally secured radially bymeans of the fins 33, so that there is no displacement of the axis ofthe dosing chamber 26 in relation to the air passages 40. Even thelateral wall 37 could be included in the rotational fixing by connectingmeans with positive engagement. Generally, even co-rotation withfrictional engagement is sufficient, for example by means of the annularcollar 43 keeping the annular space 41 closed toward the mouthpiece end.Said annular collar extends from the lateral wall of the cup wall 35 andlies with its outer edge against the inner side of the lateral wall 37of the mouthpiece 3.

As FIGS. 1 and 4 reveal, the co-rotation between the mouthpiece 3 andthe closure cap 4, lifting off by an unscrewing action, takes place by aclaw coupling 44 between the two. This comprises a longitudinal toothing45 on the lateral wall 37 of the mouthpiece 3, which longitudinaltoothing engages in corresponding tooth gaps 46 on the inner side of theclosure cap 43.

The scoop is formed by two rotor blades 47. These have a basicallysickle-shaped outline. The two rotor blades 47 are located diametricallyopposite with respect to the longitudinal center axis x-x of the inhaler1. They are mounted on axially running webs 48 spaced at a distance fromthe center. The webs are rooted in the underside of an arm or an annulardisk 49 of the rotary part 22 providing the rotor R.

The freely extending rotor blades 47 protruding from he base or the top23 of the rotary part 22 on the storage chamber side are positioneddiametrically opposite in such a way that they are sufficiently spacedapart in the circumferential direction. Geometrically, theysubstantially take up a quarter sector of the circular cross-section ofthe storage chamber 11. Reference should be made to FIG. 6. The tworotor blades 47 each have a flank 50 aligned radially with the center ofthe spindle 25 and each have a scoop flank 51 lying at right anglesthereto. It runs at a distance from the lateral wall of the spindle 25in such a way as to leave a gap. The gap has the symbol 52. In this way,an abrasive effect is avoided. It can be gathered that the flanks 50 arediametral. The common diametral line of the flanks 50 is designated inFIG. 6 by y-y. The spatially parallel scoop flanks 51 extendperpendicularly in relation to the diametral line y-y and spatiallyparallel to the axis z-z of the transverse bore of the dosing chamber26, which in turn coincides with the axis of the bore of the airpassages 40.

The annular disk 49 or two arms in which the rotor blades 47 are rootedcontinues via an annular wall 53 into the top 23 of the rotary part 22.

FIG. 5 illustrates particularly clearly that the rotor R engagesunderneath the stator St in such a way that the stator St is formed as aprojection protruding radially inward from the inside wall of thestorage chamber 11 and extending freely into a rotational path 54 of therotor R. It can be gathered that the rotational path 54 is axiallylimited by the underside of the annular disk 49 of the rotary part 22and the inner side of the rotor blades 47 facing it. The axial distanceforming the rotational path is significantly greater than the thicknessof the stator St, that is the projection, measured in this direction.Therefore, mechanical loads with respect to the frictionally sensitivepowdery substance 10 to be discharged do not occur here either.

The stator St has a trapezoidal outline. Its arcuate base is rooted inthe inside wall of the storage chamber 11. The base is dimensioned suchthat the stator St narrowing radially inward in its surface area lies inoutline beneath the quarter sector, leaving an interspace 55 between tworotor blades 47. As FIG. 6 reveals, this at the same time provides anadequate mounting opening for the stator to engage in the rotationalpath 54.

The radial projection of the stator St in the inward direction is ofsuch a radial length that the plateau of the trapezoid ends before theouter side of the web 48, likewise forming a gap.

The scooping effect is clear from FIG. 6 if the arrows are observed.Arrow a indicates the direction of reversed rotation of the rotary part22. The scoop flanks 51 therefore act as a face pushing the powder lyingin front of it. Arrow b shows the approaching scooping-in direction withrespect to the end of the dosing chamber 26 having the larger cleardiameter. Arrow c indicates the corresponding action at the other rotorblade 47, that is here also with respect to the scooping action of thescoop flank 51. The stator St then stands as it were as a fixed chicanein the way of the rotational path 54. The powdery substance 10 isdisplaced with a rapidly chamber-filling effect by the scoop flank 51lying closer to the directing-in flank of the trapezoid, so that, asalready stated, consistent filling conditions always occur. The dosingchamber 26 moves in an ascending manner through the zone of the dosingdevice D in a number of rotations until it has reached with its transferpoint Ü the upper side of the top 23 of the cup-shaped rotary part 22.

There is also no entrainment of powder material that may be adhering tothe lateral surface of the spindle, as a result of the guiding opening24 with a wiping-off effect. Said opening is not formed directly by therotary part 22, but by a sealing bush 56 lining this passage. Saidsealing bush consists of rubber-elastic material and is held by beingclipped into the top 23 by latching means 57. In terms of its plane, itreaches at the top up to the height of the upper side of the annulardisk 49.

However, there is also no radially outer escape hole for powder losses,since there is likewise a sealing element between the rotary part 22 andthe housing 2 forming the storage chamber 11. This is achieved by asealing ring 58 of rubber-elastic material inserted between the insidewall of the storage chamber 11 and the rotary part 22. Said sealing ring58 is inserted under preloading. The sealing ring 58 is snap-fitted inannular grooves of both parts 2, 22. The annular groove located on theannular part 22 has the reference numeral 59. It is realized as aV-shaped notched groove. The opening angle of the annular groove 59lying in the region of the annular wall 53 is about 90°. The groovecontour has a centering and rotationally guiding effect. The otherannular groove 60, lying at the same height, is located on the innerside of the housing 2, to be precise in the upper inlet region of thestorage chamber 11. Here there is a semicircular shape with respect tothe cross-section of the peripheral annular groove 60. Mounting is madeeasier by a rotationally symmetrical run-up slope 61 provided in frontof the annular groove 60.

The spindle 25, formed as a lifting spindle, can be varied with respectto the volume of its dosing chamber 26, i.e. the key component of thedosing device D merely has to be exchanged to achieve a different,precisely reproducible dosing of portions 10′.

The pressure-exerting base 13, acting in the manner of a piston, is notimpaired in its ability to move with respect to the cylinder space,provided by the central portion of the housing 2, since there thehousing has an air-equalizing opening 62 lying to the rear of theannular lip 19.

The cup-shaped pressure-exerting base 13 has a central indentation,directed away from the storage chamber 11. It is of such a depth on theinside that the end portion of the spindle 25 projecting axiallydownward beyond the rotor blades 47 in the basic position isaccommodated in it.

All features disclosed are (in themselves) pertinent to the invention.The disclosure content of the associated/attached priority documents(copy of the prior patent application) is also hereby incorporated infull in the disclosure of the application, including for the purpose ofincorporating features of these documents in claims of the presentapplication.

1-27. (canceled)
 28. Inhaler (1) for powdery, in particular medicalsubstances (10), comprising: a mouthpiece (3) and a suction air channel(12) leading to the mouthpiece (3), a storage chamber (11) for thesubstance (10) and a linearly moving dosing chamber (26) forapportioning a specific amount of substance from the storage chamber(11) into a region of a transfer point (Ü) to a suction air stream (S)within the air channel (12); wherein a component of the suction airstream (S) that lies in the direction in which the dosing chamber (26)extends empties the dosing chamber (26).
 29. Inhaler according to claim28, further comprising a spindle (25), and wherein the dosing chamber(26) is disposed in the spindle (25) and is configured as a transversebore of the spindle (25), which chamber (26) can be displaced by thespindle (25) in dependence on a closure cap of the inhaler.
 30. Inhaleraccording to claim 29, wherein the transverse bore is conical. 31.Inhaler according to claim 29, further comprising an air passage (40)adjoining the suction air stream (S), the air passage (40) beingassociated with the dosing chamber (26).
 32. Inhaler according to claim31, wherein the air passage (40) is respectively provided upstream ofeach of two openings of the dosing chamber (26).
 33. Inhaler accordingto claim 29, wherein the transverse bore has a portion of largerdiameter and a portion of smaller diameter, and that associated with alarger clear diameter end of the dosing chamber (26) is an air passage(40) of a smaller diameter than it and associated with a smaller cleardiameter end is an air passage (40) of a larger diameter than it. 34.Inhaler according to claim 33, wherein the air passages (40) are formedon a cup-shaped rotary part (22) guiding the spindle (25) and are inflow communication with air inlets (42) in the lateral wall (37) of themouthpiece (3).
 35. Inhaler according to claim 33, wherein the airpassages (40) are disposed axially offset in relation to the air inlets(42) lying closer to the mouthpiece (3).
 36. Inhaler according to claim34, wherein the rotary part (22) forms with its cup base the top (23) ofthe storage chamber (11), the center of which has a guiding opening (24)for the spindle (25) acting as a plunger slide.
 37. Inhaler according toclaim 34, wherein the spindle (25), which is pointed at the end in theplunging direction in the manner of a screwdriver blade, is rotationallyconnected to the rotary part (22) by means of radial fins (33). 38.Inhaler according to claim 37, wherein a cup wall (35) of the cup-shapedrotary part (22) has axial guiding slots (34) in which the fins (33) areguided.
 39. Inhaler according to claim 29, further comprising anextension limiting stop (36) of the spindle (25) that is provided by themouthpiece (3), defining the ready-to-empty position of the dosingchamber (26), which with its base wall portion provides the transferpoint (Ü).
 40. Inhaler according to claim 29, further comprising adocking point (28) between the spindle (25) and a closure cap (4) thatlies on the mouthpiece side and disengages if overloaded.
 41. Inhaleraccording to claim 34, wherein the rotary part (22) has a rotor (R) withwhich a stator (St) is associated, with a scooping effect acting so asto carry substance into the dosing chamber (26) when the rotary part(22) is reversed in its rotation.
 42. Inhaler according to claim 34,further comprising web-carried rotor blades (47) extending from anannular disk (49) of the base of the rotary part (22).
 43. Inhaleraccording to claim 42, wherein the rotor blades (47) have asickle-shaped outline.
 44. Inhaler according to claim 42, wherein thereare two of the rotor blades (47) lying opposite each other.
 45. Inhaleraccording to claim 42, wherein the rotor blades (47) extendsubstantially on a quarter sector, with a flank (50) directed radiallytoward the center of the spindle (25) and a blade flank (51) lyingapproximately at right angles thereto in tangential alignment with thespindle (25) in such a way as to leave a gap.
 46. Inhaler according toclaim 45, wherein the flanks (50) lie in a common diametral line (y-y).47. Inhaler according to claim 41, wherein the rotor (R) engages underthe stator (St) in such a way that the stator (St) is formed as aprojection protruding radially inward from an inside wall of the storagechamber (11) and extending freely into a rotational path (54) of therotor (R).
 48. Inhaler according to claim 47, wherein the stator (St)has a trapezoidal outline with a base in the inside wall of the storagechamber (11).
 49. Inhaler according to claim 47, wherein the rotationalpath (54) is axially limited by the underside of an annular disk (49) ofthe rotary part (22) and an inner side of the rotor blades (47) facingit.
 50. Inhaler according to claim 49, wherein the stator (St) lies inoutline beneath the quarter sector, leaving an interspace (55) betweentwo rotor blades (47).
 51. Inhaler according to claim 36, wherein theguiding opening (24) within the rotary part (22) is lined by a sealingbush (56) enclosing the cylindrical portion of the spindle (25). 52.Inhaler according to claim 34, further comprising a sealing ring (58)inserted with preloading between an inside wall of the storage chamber(11) and a rotary part (22).
 53. Inhaler according to claim 52, whereinthe sealing ring (58) is snap-fitted in annular grooves (59, 60) of bothparts, the annular groove (59) located on the rotary part (22) takingthe form of a V-shaped notched groove and the annular groove (60) of thestorage chamber (11), lying at the same height as said notched groove,being of a semicircular form.
 54. Inhaler according to claim 28, furthercomprising a closure cap (4) that is formed as a screw cap and interactswith the mouthpiece (3) via co-rotating means (45/46).